University At The THES Awards
30 November 2007
We were delighted to be nominated for University of the Year and it would have been a great boost to have won – but it was not to be! Nevertheless we can all take great pride from just being there.
”Vice-Chancellor Professor John Coyne
The University of Derby enjoyed a wonderful night last night as it competed for two top honours at the UK’s most prestigious awards ceremony for the higher education sector.
The Times Higher Awards, masterminded by the Times Higher Education Supplement, are higher education’s ‘Oscars’, and reward outstanding achievement.
At a glittering awards ceremony in London, we were shortlisted alongside Bedfordshire University, Edge Hill University, Essex University, Exeter University, and Glamorgan University to claim the coveted title of ‘University of the Year’. The eventual winners were Exeter University.
The University of the Year accolade was awarded to the UK institution that the judging panel felt had demonstrated exceptional performance in the past academic year.
Although research, teaching, access and business performance were taken into account by the judges, the main criterion was evidence of particular bold, imaginative and innovative initiatives that have advanced the institution’s reputation between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007.
The University was also shortlisted for another category: Preparing for a Performance Culture – Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development. The other institutions in that category were Hertfordshire University, Oxford University, Aberdeen University, Edinburgh University, and Teesside University. Aberdeen University won the overall title.
Although we did not win either category, the University is delighted to have received national recognition for an excellent year through being shortlisted for two awards.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Coyne, who was at the ceremony, said: “We were delighted to be nominated for University of the Year and it would have been a great boost to have won – but it was not to be! Nevertheless we can all take great pride from just being there.
“We have enjoyed a great journey over the last few years and to have the opportunity to be one of just six universities shortlisted for the accolade was just fantastic. I could not be more proud of my colleagues and my students.
“It was also terrific to have our colleagues from HR as finalists in their category. Even though they didn’t take the title this time, we know the great work they do and they did receive recognition in winning two top awards at their professional body’s annual awards.”
The annual THES awards have 20 categories in total, which celebrate the cream of talent in our universities across the UK. The awards are in their third year.
About 30 staff and student representatives from Derby joined fellow award nominees from other universities at the celebration finals ceremony last night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, hosted by academic and broadcaster Laurie Taylor.
THES Editor Gerard Kelly said: “The scale of shortlisted entries alone only confirmed the diversity, scope and excellence of the activities in which British universities are routinely engaged.
“Thanks to all those who entered in order to make this event what it sets out to be – a celebration of the outstanding achievements of British higher education.”
The annual awards also receive sponsorship and support from the Higher Education Academy, Hobsons, the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), the Arts Council, Sage, UK Grad, Research Councils UK, the Quality Assurance Agency, the Leadership Foundation, the Office for Fair Access, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and West Midland Tech.
Commenting on the institution-wide short listing, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jennifer Fry said: “What a fantastic achievement for everyone connected with the University to be in contention for such a prestigious award.”
And our Director of Human Resources, Martyn Holden said: “In relation to the HR short listing, it is fantastic recognition for a lot of hard work which has gone into developing a clear management approach at the University.”
For further information about the awards visit: www.thes.co.uk/Awards/2007.
-ends-
Staff will receive more in-depth news about the awards in the first Connected e-zine to be circulated across the University.
